An article from PDG Bronwyn Stephens, Brighton North
The items will be carefully selected from the hospital-generated wish list to ensure that what we send has immediate and measurable clinical impact — particularly in surgery, trauma, diagnostics, and critical care.
Why Your Club’s Participation Matters
Cambodian hospitals operate with minimal government funding and face severe shortages of even the most basic medical resources. The population’s life expectancy is around 10 years lower than in Australia. Modern diagnostic imaging is rare, surgical instruments are limited, and many beds date back to the 1970s — some without mattresses. Diseases such as tuberculosis and leprosy remain present, while trauma from road accidents accounts for a high percentage of avoidable deaths. Meanwhile, Australian hospitals routinely replace equipment that, while no longer current for us, is considered state-of-the-art in Cambodia. Without Rotary intervention, much of this equipment becomes landfill — yet in Cambodia it becomes hope, dignity, and survival.
Our Key Partner Hospital
This project will directly support the Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC) in Phnom Penh — a reputable tertiary teaching hospital with more than 100 local staff providing free or low-cost specialised surgery for disadvantaged patients. The accompanying photos show the young patients following life-saving surgery at the CSC.
How Clubs Can Take Action
Clubs are invited to participate through a financial contribution toward container costs (any amount is meaningful) as well as volunteer assistance via DIK in West Footscray DIK will manage sourcing, packing, and shipping, and Rotary Phnom Penh will ensure safe transport and coordinated distribution from port to hospital. Funding will be coordinated by District 9800
This Is Rotary Uniting for Good and Doing Good in the World
Together, we can turn surplus into survival and transform thousands of lives through practical, measurable, ethical humanitarian action.
We invite every Club in District 9800 to consider participating in this project.
To register interest or pledge support, please contact:
Bronwyn Stephens Stuart McIntyre
District Governor 2009-2010 District 9800 International Chair
Bstephens.rotary@gmail.com smcintyre000@gmail.com
0410 324 537 0411 284 319